Ross' 17, Smith's 16 lead OSU past Purdue, 67-49

Associated Press

8:12 PM, Feb 8, 2014

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Lenzelle Smith Jr., starting his 100th game, hit 4 of 7 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead Ohio State past Purdue 67-49 on Saturday night, the Buckeyes' third win in a row after losing five of six.

LaQuinton Ross led the way with 17 points for Ohio State (19-5, 6-5 Big Ten).

Reserves Kendall Stephens and Rapheal Davis had 12 and 11 points with A.J. Hammons adding 11 for the Boilermakers (14-10, 4-7), who have lost five of six overall and their last four on the road.

The Buckeyes won their first 15 games to get to No. 3 in the nation. Then lost four in a row and split the next two.

Coming off two huge road wins, winning at No. 14 Wisconsin 59-58 on Feb. 1 and at No. 17 Iowa 76-69 on Tuesday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.